Distributors react to Rising Star Award nominations

Catering equipment distributors have lined up to praise their ‘rising stars’ who have been nominated in the first CEDA award of its kind.

CHR has two shortlisted candidates, in the form of Amy Hartnett and Alex Sweetlove, with the firm’s MD, Ron Neville, commenting: “Amy joined us in November 2012 as a service coordinator, showing excellent organisation and problem solving skills. She has gone on to be promoted to project co-ordinator looking after the internal delivery of the installations CHR is contracted to provide. She is certainly one of my rising stars.”

He added: “Alex Sweetlove joined us three years ago as an apprentice to work in the office environment. He worked on different disciplines in the first three months and it quickly became apparent that he enjoyed the work within the design department. He mastered the Revit package within weeks and shone with his work on The Restaurant project for Simon Rogan. For a guy who’s just 19 he has shown amazing commitment to CHR and is very worthy to be on the CEDA Rising Star Award shortlist.”

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C&C’s shortlisted Rising Star, Stephen J Brophy, has progressed from being a chef to joining the distributor as a CAD specialist who developed a strong appetite for sales, as MD, Peter Kitchin, noted: “From quite early on it was easy to see that Steve wanted to do a lot more than CAD and he has taken exceptionally well to a sales role where he impresses clients and certainly impresses us. I’m not surprised he has been shortlisted.”

Commenting on his employee Michael Golightly’s shortlist place, Mark Kendall, director Inox Equip, said, “Since returning to Inox after completing his degree in July last year, Michael has grasped the role of lead CAD designer and has quickly become a stand-out member of the team.

“Michael’s commitment to the company and thirst for knowledge about the wider industry is admirable; every day brings new challenges from end-users, architects and main contractors. His ability to communicate at all levels continues to add value to our customers and peers. People like Michael are what our industry needs!”

Talking about TAG’s nominee, Tyron Stephen-Smith, director Michaela Stephens said: “Everyone at TAG is thrilled that Tyron has been shortlisted and his exceptional talent and hard work have been rewarded. The new CEDA Rising Star award is a great platform to recognise the remarkable young people coming into the industry and their contribution. We’re now looking forward to the awards ceremony in April.”

Award winners will be revealed during the CEDA Conference at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire on 24 April.